Travelling in groups can be great fun but it also happens to be plenty of responsibility. This doesn’t bode well for you if you’re someone who gets stressed far too easily. If you’re wondering how to lessen that anxiety, here are some of our best tips on how to travel safely in groups:
The buddy system
You’ve probably heard the age-old saying, “there’s safety in numbers” and when travelling, there’s no better philosophy to live by. The best way to organize your trips is to have a buddy system. It might seem rather elementary but when travelling in countries for the first time and when there are children/elders involved, this is your safest bet. Assign each member another to stick with when the group splits up.
Daily checks
Travelling to a big city? It’s always best to end your night with door-to-door checkups on your group before knocking out for the night as well as a routine check of all the external doors to make sure they’re bolted. This of course depends on your choice of stay as well. If you planned a more budgeted trip, you’d have to be a little more careful.
Research
Is this your first time travelling to this particular country? If so, be very careful when picking your hotel. It’s always best to communicate with a local or a travel agency that knows their stuff before settling on a location. That’s where we’ll help you out! Simply contact us for more information. Also make it a point to look into the customs and etiquette of the place you’re visiting. It doesn’t hurt to respect the people surrounding you and their culture.
Emergency Contact
While we live in an era of digital advancements, what would you do if you find yourself lost (separated from the group) and your phone died? With a poor memory escalating the situation, what happens if you, furthermore, cannot remember anyone’s numbers to borrow a phone and make a call? It’s all unnecessary hassle. Jot down not only the numbers of your group members’ contact details but also have the emergency contact of a local (perhaps the number of the hotel you’re staying at) incase you need more definitive help from someone who knows the lay of the land.
Cash alternatives
Firstly, don’t forget to notify your bank of your travel plans so you make sure your card doesn’t get declined. You’ll be relying on plastic for the heftier bills so make sure to get a credit card with no foreign transaction fee so you don’t pay the bank extra unnecessary fees. Additionally, when buying local currency for those smaller bills, make sure to look for the best exchange rates before settling on one business. Not all places accept travelers checks so check if your destination does before you invest in this- it’ll come in handy if your card can’t be used/is stolen.
The right prescriptions
Make sure you visit a clinic before leaving and get the right prescriptions for any sickness you might be prone to on your travels. On that note, also make it a point to invest in some bug spray because this is a tropical country after all!
If you have any other clarifications, do feel free to contact us for more information! Our priority is giving you the peace of mind to enjoy the getaway of a lifetime!